Weather forecast still a scorcher

Shun midday sun, but set your hopes on cooling showers

August 7, 2007|By Ken Kaye Staff Writer

It was so hot Monday that the thermometer read 105 degrees on the porch of Everglades Holiday Park in far western Broward County -- and people took airboat rides just to feel a breeze, said Evie Inman, a park employee.

"They were also drinking a lot of water," she said.

Yep, the heat is on in South Florida, and it's forecast to continue sizzling today, in the low to mid-90s. Combined with high humidity, the feels-like temperature could climb well above 100, forecasters said.

Many flocked to the beach Monday to cool off. The problem, said James Scala, operations supervisor for Delray Beach Ocean Rescue: "It's pretty hot at the beach, too."

It likely will remain uncomfortably muggy most of the week, although sea breezes should start flowing and occasional thunderstorms should cool things off a bit, said meteorologist Barry Baxter of the National Weather Service in Miami.

"It should be improving as the week goes along," he said.

The source of the heat: a ridge of high pressure that parked over the Southeast. It blocked sea breezes and created an oven effect, Baxter said. Sunday, that in Miami hitting 97 degrees, breaking the record of 96 for that date, set in 1970.

That ridge was forecast to start moving west by today, he said.

How should you deal with the heat? Drink lots of water, wear light clothing, avoid going outside in the middle of the day -- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- and seek air conditioning, said Mike Jachles, spokesman for Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue.

"If you don't have air conditioning, go someplace that does, even if it's a shopping mall or a library," he said.

Most importantly: Don't leave children or pets alone in a car, even if the air conditioning is on.

"The air conditioning could fail," Jachles said. "A hot car is a death trap."

Others Monday went to Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton, where the playground has a machine that squirts water at children and adults. Normally, it's a refreshing way to cool off, park receptionist Amanda Howard said.

But, she said, "It's been turned off because of the water restrictions."

The bottom line is, if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen, says Wayne Anderson. He should know; he's the owner of the Georgia Pig Barbecue & Restaurant, 1285 S.R. 7 west of Fort Lauderdale, where the cooks work around a flaming open pit.